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Hey Traverse City, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Coyote Joe’s soft opening, cocktail class, and The Barnard Album & Star Party + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Traverse City protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Local openings and expansions: Coyote Joe’s Pub & Grill plans a March soft opening at former Mr. C’s in Williamsburg. Ride Leelanau targets March 20 opening. CuTea Boba is expanding to 124 Cochlin Street — see what’s opening and when.

Demand drives outdoor learning: Grand Traverse Conservation District is exploring a summer day camp at Hickory Hills, featuring hikes, nature lessons, and possible partners such as the DNR and North Sky Raptor Sanctuary — see what’s being planned.

Key costs still unresolved: Grand Traverse County approved a contract for Project Alpha, a 911 emergency operations center. 400 subcontractors invited to bid, with an open review March 9 and a $20.6 million budget — read the full story.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Warm up at family-friendly winter fest
• Groove to Jesse Jefferson live blues-rock
• Craft three classic cocktails with experts
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 We got your back

Pasta night, solved: When cravings hit, The Flying Noodle delivers house-made pastas with playful, seasonal twists that taste like they were made by a friend who actually measures salt. Slide in for a cozy bowl, a little downtown buzz, and boosted midweek morale.

Vintage vibes, curated: In downtown Traverse City, slip. vintage serves wearable throwbacks: denim, knits, and one-off statement pieces, minus the dusty-attic vibe. Refresh trusty staples or chase something delightfully odd. Constantly rotating racks keep unique layers coming while supporting local slow fashion.

Smart freeze, no drama: Michigan Health & Wellness Center pairs non-invasive cryotherapy with EMS for targeted sculpting. Think controlled cooling that helps trim stubborn spots while toning. Easy to fit into a weekday reset, it’s run by a local team that values practical, measurable results over hype.

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🧠 Trivia Night @ Thirsty Fish Sports Grille | Tuesday (3/3) at 7:00 PM – Shawny-D is stirring up a trivia night where your random facts finally earn rent. It’s free to play, with prizes for first through third, and you can fly solo or roll in with a brain trust of up to six. High bragging rights.

🀄 Mah Jong Party @ Artful Interiors | Wednesday (3/4) at 5:00 PM – Whether you’re tile-curious or you’ve been racking and stacking since the Reagan years, pop into My Artful Interiors for a free Mah Jong mingle. Expect a demo, friendly pointers, shiny new accessories, and light refreshments. Space is cozy, RSVP required.

🕯 Grief Share Group @ Creekside Community Church | Thursday (3/5) at 1:00 PM – Real talk for hard seasons, no platitudes required. Creekside’s 13-week GriefShare meets Thursday afternoons to watch brief videos and gently unpack sadness, loneliness, anxiety, anger, regret, and, yes, hope. Free to join, RSVP helps, good company included.

🔭 The Barnard Album & Star Party @ Northwestern Michigan College’s Rogers Observatory | Friday (3/6) at 8:00 PM – Trade the couch for the cosmos at NMC’s Rogers Observatory as GTAS hosts Jerry Dobek unveiling The Barnard Album, a love letter to vintage stargazing. If the clouds behave, stick around for telescope time and March sky highlights. Free, open to all, and gloriously nerdy.

☕ Winter Warm Up @ Traverse City Whiskey Co. Stillhouse | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Grab your mittens and hit the patio for the 3rd Annual Winter Warm-Up, with Broom Closet Boys, Hot Flat Pop, hot cocktails, and a food truck. Free, family-friendly, low-fuss, with yard games, a kid-approved cocoa bar, and zero pressure to pretend you ski.

🎶 Jeff Socia @ Chateau Grand Traverse | Saturday (3/7) at 4:00 PM – Craving an easy Northern Michigan evening? Jeff Socia brings alt-country and Americana to Sound Bites with heartfelt acoustic tunes, seasonal small bites, award-winning wines, and vineyard views, all free with no reservations, because the only thing you should line up for is sunset.

🥶 Community Cold Dips! @ Senior Center Beach | Sunday (3/8) at 10:00 AM – Whether you swear by cold therapy or just need a stronger wake-up than coffee, this weekly dip at the TC Senior Center beach delivers. Join the regulars, trade shivers for bragging rights, and acclimate to Grand Traverse Bay’s beautiful bite, one gasp at a time.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Traverse City report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 43°F – Low: 26°F – Precip: 11%

A chance of snow showers between 10am and 11am, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 11am and 4pm. Partly sunny. High near 43, with temperatures falling to around 40 in the afternoon. Southwest wind around 0 mph. Later: Partly cloudy. Low around 26, with temperatures rising to around 28 overnight. West wind around 0 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 48°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 2%

Sunny, with a high near 48. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Southeast wind around 0 mph.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This luxury downtown Traverse City condo frames sweeping Grand Traverse Bay views and pairs exceptional craftsmanship with elegant, modern finishes. Underground parking keeps life easy, and vibrant city energy is right outside. Steps from the waterfront, premier dining, boutique shopping, and lively entertainment, it blends sophisticated design with convenience in a coveted heart-of-it-all address.

Take a peek inside →